Saturday, August 16, 2008

I Will Restore!

August 16: Jeremiah 32-3416 “After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord, saying: 17 ‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. 18 You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts, 19 great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds. 20 You have shown signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and to this day in Israel and among all mankind, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day. 21 You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and outstretched arm, and with great terror. 22 And you gave them this land, which you swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey. 23 And they entered and took possession of it. But they did not obey your voice or walk in your law. They did nothing of all you commanded them to do. Therefore you have made all this disaster come upon them. 24 Behold, the siege mounds have come up to the city to take it, and because of sword and famine and pestilence the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What you spoke has come to pass, and behold, you see it. 25 Yet you, O Lord God, have said to me, “Buy the field for money and get witnesses”—though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.’”26 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 27 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?42 “For thus says the Lord: Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them. . . . 44 Fields shall be bought for money, and deeds shall be signed and sealed and witnessed, in the land of Benjamin, in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the Shephelah, and in the cities of the Negev; for I will restore their fortunes, declares the Lord.”Jeremiah 32:16-26, 42 & 44

I Will RestoreWho cannot identify with Jeremiah in today's Bible reading? How many times do we go to the Lord and say, "I do not understand!"? God told Jeremiah to buy the field that his uncle would be coming to offer to him; Jeremiah was perplexed. Yet you, O Lord God, have said to me, “Buy the field for money and get witnesses”—though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans."Why would God tell Jeremiah to buy a field that would not be his anyway once the Chaldeans took over the land? Don't you love the answer from God in verses 26 & 27? The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?How little is our faith? Even the prophets of old wrestled with their faith, just as we often do today. In answer to Jeremiah, God explained that the Israelites would again come back to their land and would again buy and sell property. He said in verse 44, "I will restore their fortunes, declares the Lord.”Every single promise that God made, He already has or will fulfill; He does not make empty promises. For the Christian what a great comfort that is. Even though the "Chaldeans" of our life may surround us on every side, and may even overtake us temporarily, God will restore our land and grant to us eternal life and peace.That always makes a good story ending, doesn't it? But, this is not just a story; this is truth! Pray that you would live today in the peace and security of knowing God's promises to you as a Christian will be fulfilled completely.What a great God we have!God Bless You,LindaAll Scriptures are from the English Standard Version of the Bible.

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About Me

I live in Pella, Iowa, with my husband, 1 child still at home, 1 dog and 2 cats. Along with this blog, I have a website: Devotional Reflections from the Bible. In addition, I am a piano teacher. I know I am truly blessed to be able to do two of the most important things in my life - write Bible devotionals and teach music.
God is so very good. My goal is to encourage others in their walk with the Lord, and to present the Gospel in a clear and direct manner. Christ is everything to me and that is my goal for my readers as well.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1, KJV
God Bless You,
Linda